DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla – Photo courtesy of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)/Facebook.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to file charges against members of the Bureau of Fire Protection’s (BFP) Bids and Awards Committees over alleged rigging of procurement deals dating back to 2005.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said investigations have uncovered a long-running system of bid manipulation involving billions of pesos in fire safety equipment contracts.
“We are about to file cases against the BFP’s Bids and Awards Committees from 2005 to 2025. We have uncovered a system of bid-rigging that involves billions and billions of pesos,” Remulla told reporters at Camp Crame.
The DILG plans to release a detailed report next week identifying the roughly 40 officials who may face prosecution, Remulla added.
He also said the department would pursue a separate case against a former Quezon City fire marshal for alleged extortion of building developers, citing sudden and inflated equipment requirements that pointed to collusion.
In a separate matter, Remulla confirmed reports that several volunteer firefighters allegedly took liquor from a Quezon City supermarket during a fire response. He said an investigation has been ordered and dismissals, as well as legal action, are likely.
BFP Spokesperson Fire Superintendent Anthony Arroyo said the bureau is examining at least 30 volunteer groups that responded to the fire. Initial findings suggest that those involved in the alleged theft were not regular BFP personnel.